Fish bridge



March 9* 1926.

H. A. POLZIN v FISH BRIDGE Filed Feb. 4, l92 4 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mmm@March 9 1926.Y

H. A. POLZIN FI SH BRIDGE Filed Feb. 4. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IINPatented Mar. 9, 1926.

HEBIIAN A. POLZIN, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FISH BRIDGE.

Application led February 4, 1924. Serial No. 690,472.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN A. PonzrN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in a Fish Bridge, of Whichthe following is a description.

My invention relates to improvements in a fish bridge, which may be usedfor ornamental or advertising purposes in connection with aquariums. Theinvention has among its objects the production of a device of the kinddescribed, which is simple, attractive, ornamental, efficient andsatisfactory for use Wherever found applicable. More particularly itlhas as an object the production of a novel bridge and supporting meanstherefor as well as cooperating means for facilitating the handling ofthe bridge,

and iilling the same with water or removing the Water therefrom. Manyother objects and advantages of the construction herein shown anddescribed will be obvious to those skilled in the art from thedisclosures herein given. 4

To this end my invention consists in the novel construction, arrangementand combination of parts herein shown and described, and morepartiqularly pointed out in the claims:

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like orcorresponding parts: Y.

' Fig. 1 is a plan viewof one form of my improved bridge and supportingmeans therefor;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same; Fi 3 is a sectional viewillustrating in detai vthe supporting means;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a portionof one of the legs of the bridgeprovided with the cap for filling;

lmay be Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 ofFig'. 4;

Fig. 6 is a view in elevation of another.

type of bridge; and"y Fig. 7 is an elevation of bridge.

In one embodiment of my invention shown, 1 and 2 represent receptacles,bowls, or a ua'riums of suitable size, shape and materia and providedwith such accessories as desired and that are usually found another formof l Connecting the two receptacles is a bridge 3 which is provided withtwo legs 4 adaptllent means for the purpose.

rod 12, one at ed to be positioned one in each receptacle below thewater level, the connecting portion between the legs being of such formor vshape as is desired. `In use the bridge is filled and contains waterso that there is formed a water bridge or connection between the tworeceptacles through which the lish may pass over.

In the particular type of bridge shown in Figs. l and 2, a loop 5 isformed between the two legs thereby increasing vthe distance of travelbetween the two aquariums and producing an attractive appearance.

I have provided suitable means to support the bridge and prevent itstilting, falling over or dropping too far in the water. The supportshould be so constructed that it does not close the top of thereceptacle any more than necessary, but will permit exposure of thewater in the receptacle to the air.

A very simple, attractive and convenient adjustable su port is shown andillustrated in Fig. 3. s shown, I provide a clamp consisting ofcooperating and similar mat ing members 7 and 8, which may be securedtogether by bolts or screws 10, or equiva- The two members are arrangedto tit the legs 4 and correspond in contour with the contour of the leg.If desired, and it is generally preferred, there may be provided arubber or like gasket 11 on each clamp so as to give a good tit andprevent sliding of the clamp on the leg. I have shown each clamp partprovided with a socket 9,' in which may be inserted a each side. Eachrod 12, as shown, has a threaded engagement in the part 9 so that itwill be securely locked in lace. It is also shown with an enlarged endv13, the two arms and ends being covered as indicated at 14 and 15 witha rubber composition, or like covering tending to cushion the saineaswell as tending to prevent displacement and also give an attractivefinish.

or slight adjustments the arms 12 may be screwed in or out. For greateradjustments, longer or- 'shorter arms may be substituted or the longerarms cut of. This imroved clamp may, be firmly secured to the ridgewithout danger or injury to the bridge and may be set on the receptacleat the mouth with the arms resting on the top without danger of chippingor injuring the globe.

The knobs 15 tend l to maintain the bridge against displacement as theylos engage with the outer edge of the receptacle or globe at the mouthpreventing the bridge from being shifted laterally. They may be adjustedon the legs 4 so that the legs project into the Water only to thedesired extent.

To facilitate filling the bridge with Water at such times as may bedesired, as for example when changing the water in the aquarium, Iprovide caps 16 preferably of soft rubber and with the flange 17 adaptedto fit over the end of the leg. In this manner the bridge may becompletely filled with water and the ends capped and inserted in thereceptacles below the water level without losing any Water and then thecaps removed. I .have shown each of the caps provided with a lug 18having a hole 19 therethrough so that a string or the like may beemployed to `secure the cap to the bridge or to the end of one of thearms 12 or to permit-its being hung up. The caps are onl employed whenit is desired to remove tie bridge or to replace it, at other times theends of the bridge being open.

I have shown in Fig. 6 how more than two aquariums may be connected by asingle brid e. In this case 20 represents the depen ing legs adapted toproject into the Water in the aquarium and 21 the connecting portions.Of course, a plurality of aquariums may be `connected by bridges similarto that shown in Fig. 7 or in Figs. 1 and 2, and while I have shownthree connected by a single bridge, obviously any number may be soconnected.

In Fig. 7 I have shown two bridges 6, both connecting two aquariums,that is, the two bridges give four openings, two to each aquarium. Thispermits the use of smaller size aquarium bowls with the maximum amountof water. While I have only shown two bridges so arranged, obviouslythere may be one or as many as may be accommodated. The large sizeaquarium bowls are expensive, more inconvenient to handle, and generallymore easily broken, so that by being able to use smallerA bowls,breakage of the larger bowls is eliminated. While using two smallerbowls to contain the same amount of water as the 'larger one, theaddition of the tubes-increases the water capaci of the aquarium. Wherethe plurality o tubes is used, the double effect is particularlyartistic and pleasing, and adds to the entertainment.

When the bridges are in position, the fish pass from one aquarium to theother, frequently stopping in the bridge, and apparently enjoying it.Sometimes they will chase each other back and forth, and the device isan entertaining novelty as well asl a particularly convenient and usefularticle, for by means ofthe bridge it is a simple `matter to change thewater in the receptacles by causing the fish to pass into the otherwithout handling them. It also enables the water to be changed atdierent times in the different aquariums rather than a complete changeat one time, 'as is the case where only one aquarium is used. The wateris therefore kept more or less in an average condition rather thanmarked changes from old to fresh water. Obviously, a tube may containwater with some air space and with the fish in the tube, so that. whenthe caps are placed over the open ends, the tube can be handled andcarried about and put in any desirable place for amusement. This makesin reality a sealed aquarium. It should also be noted that with thetubes, in warm weather, instead of changing the water in the bowl orbowls, fresh Water may be put in the tube or tubes. The cold Water inthe tubes tends to flisplace the Warmer water. in the bowls, which goesup into the tubes. This is particularly noticeable as upon a hot day inreplacing or replenishingthe water in a tube, the fish will travel upinto the cool, fresh water. It goes without saying that such ornamentalbackground may be employed with the aquarium as desired, and therebyadding to the artistic appearance of the device.

The tubes are not difiicult to clean. I have found them easily cleanedby filling a cloth bag with ground lead or the like and sliding it backand forth in the tube, thereby thoroughly cleanin the same.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousimmaterial modiH- cations ma be made in the same without departing omthe spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact form, construetion, arrangement andcombination of parts herein shown and described or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A fish bridge comprising an integral glass pipe having a. boreltherethrough adapted to be filled with water, the open ends of saidlpipe being down-turned and adapted to project into a water-filledreceptacle, and means on the turned down ends for supporting the bridgeand permitting vertical adjustment of the bridge with respect to thereceptacle.

2. In combination with a pair of waterfilled receptacles adapted tocontain fish, a sh bridge comprising an integral glass pipe having oneend projecting into the liquid in one of said receptacles and the otherend projecting into the liquid in the other of said rece tacles, andthrough which lish may travel om one receptacle to the other,

Vand detachable caps for the ends of said pipe.

3. In combination with a pair of waterfilled receptaclesadapted tocontain sh, a

Uli

of said ends projecting into the liquid in one of said receptacles andthe other end projecting into the liquid in the other receptacle, andthrough which fish may travel from one receptacle tothe other, and meansclamped on said ends land adjustable thereon'for supporting (he pipe,said clamps provided with arms of a'leugth to overlie the tops of thereceptacle. f

4. In combination with a pair of waterilled receptacles adapted tocontain fish, a fish bridge connecting said receptacles and adapted tobe filled with water, said bridge comprising a hollow transparent glasspipe having removable caps for its open ends, Ione of said endsprojecting into the liquid in one of said receptacles and the other endprojecting into the liquid in the lother receptacle, and through whichfish may travel from one receptacle to the other, and means arranged onsaid pipe for maintaining said bridge in place, consisting of clampingmemberssadjustably secured on the pipe adjacent each end `thereofprovided with laterally extending arms of a length to overlie the edgesof the receptacles at the mouth thereof, and constructed to engage atsaid edges and be thereby secured against lateral displacement.

5. In combination with a plurality of water-filled receptacles adaptedto contain fish, i

a fish bridge comprising an integral glass pipe having more than twolegs projecting into the liquid in the receptacles, and means forsupporting the bridge and permitting vertical adjustment of the bridgewith respect .to the receptacles.

6. In combination with a plurality of water-filled receptacles adaptedto contain fish, a fish bridge comprising an integral glass pipe havingone end projecting into the liquid in one, 'of said receptacles andanother end projecting into the said receptacles, and means clamped onthe bridge for supporting the bridge and permitting vertical adjustment,of the bridge with respect to the receptacles.'

In testimony. whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

. HERMAN A. PoLzIN.

liquid in another of'

